From: Widerman-AT-aol.com
Date: Mon, 15 Mar 2010 16:45:24 EDT
To: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org
Subject: [Puptcrit] Sue Hastings Influence


Upon viewing Hobey's Sue Hastings photos, I was struck by the similarities  
between her production of "Alice in Wonderland," Tony Sarg's "Alice" and 
the  influence they may have had on Bil Baird's "Alice." Of course they were 
all  influenced by the John Tenniel illustrations. (I haven't seen Tim 
Burton's  version yet.)
 
I am sure Baird was influenced by Sarg, since he was employed in Sarg's  
company, but if you examine Baird's Walrus and Carpenter figures, it is easy 
to  see that he was familiar with the Sarg figures, and when he was building 
"Alice"  he often mentioned Sarg's production.
 
Baird had some tormentors (side wing curtains) on his stage that  could 
swivel and had a peculiar hook shape at one end from which you could hang  a 
marionette, either hidden by the tormentor or seen onstage. He called  these 
"birdcage holders" because "that's what Sue Hastings called them," and  
that's what they looked like.
 
The Hastings photos are extremely edifying. Thanks for sharing them,  Hobey.
 
      -Steven->


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